Core 2 GlcNAc-T inhibitors

ABSTRACT

A method of treating a subject in need of therapy for a condition involving detrimental activity of the enzyme core 2 GlcNAc-T is provided, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of core 2 GlcNAc-T of formula I to a patient in need thereof  
                 
wherein: 
         R 1  is H, C 1-6  alkyl, C 1-6  hydroxyalkyl, C 1-6  alkoxy or C 1-6 -alkoxy-C 1-6 -alkyl;    R 2  is H, —OH or C 1-6  alkoxy;    S 1  and S 2  are independently selected saccharide moieties; and Z is a steroid moiety; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether or ester thereof.

The present invention relates to the use of known and novel compounds as pharmaceutical actives against diseases susceptible to treatment by modulation, eg. inhibition, of the enzyme Core 2 GlcNAc-transferase (EC 2.4.1.102), also known as UDP-GlcNAc:Galβ1,3GalNAc-R (GlcNAc to GalNAc) β-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (core 2 β-1,6 N-acetylaminotransferase, hereinafter referred to as Core 2 GlcNAc-T.

Inhibitors of Core 2 GlcNAc-T, and the present compounds in particular, have application in therapy for diseases in which core 2 GlcNAc-T is implicated and especially those in which the enzyme activity is raised relative to the normal level in the tissue type concerned, or those conditions in which it is advantageous to lower the activity of core 2 GlcNAc-T for example to its normal level or below. Examples of such conditions are inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cancer and its metastasis.

Inhibitors of Core 2 GlcNAc-T are known but none are in clinical development as isolated actives for pharmaceutical use. Examples of known compounds are disclosed in WO0187548, Kuhns (17), Hindsgaul (37) and Toki (38).

Applicant's co-pending application PCT/GB2004/005398 (incorporated herein by reference) discloses known and novel steroidal glycosides that have therapeutic use as Core GlcNAc-T inhibitors, discusses the basis for use of such inhibitors in therapy and discloses published documents detailing the basis for Core 2 GlcNAc-T involvement in a number of diseases. The present application discloses further steroidal glycoside compounds that are inhibitors of core 2 GlcNAc-T and additional conditions in which these compounds have a therapeutic use.

Some of the presently disclosed steroidal glycosides have been tested previously in a limited number of disease paradigms. For example in protection against gastric mucosal lesions in rats (JP2004-143126 and 78), in mouse ear edema tests for anti inflammatory activity (81), in the prevention of senility (WO9916786) and as adjuvants (82). CN1243129 and CN1237583 disclose the use of certain compounds presently disclosed in cancer and some compounds have been used in in vitro cytotoxicity assays (e.g. 39, 42, 46, 55, 56, 59, 79, 80), however the levels of activity in cell based assays are far below those currently disclosed for inhibition of Core 2 GlcNAc-T activity. None of the aforementioned publications discloses that certain steroidal glycosides are inhibitors of Core 2 GlcNAc-T.

Certain plant sterol compounds, used as dietary supplements, impede the uptake of cholesterol from the gut and consequently lower plasma LDL cholesterol. However these compounds are generally used in doses of several grams per day and are not known to be inhibitors of Core 2 GlcNAc-T.

In a first aspect the present invention is provided a method of treating a subject in need of therapy for a condition involving detrimental activity of the enzyme core 2 GlcNAc-T, particularly raised activity, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of core 2 GlcNAc-T of formula I to a patient in need thereof.

wherein:

R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl;

R² is H, —OH or C₁₋₆ alkoxy;

Sac¹ and Sac² are independently selected saccharide moieties; and

Z is a steroid moiety attached to the oxygen shown by its 3 position ring carbon

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether, ester or tautomer thereof.

The ring of formula I is designated ring A.

The prior art associates Core 2 GlcNAc-T (particularly through its involvement with branched oligosaccharide synthesis) with inter alia, vascular diseases, (including complications of diabetes), autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Particular conditions subject to treatment by the present invention are myopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, transplant rejection, ischemia reperfusion injury (e.g. stroke, myocardial ischemia, intestinal reperfusion eg after hemorrhagic shock,), restenosis, ileitis, Crohn's disease, thrombosis, cholitis including for example ulcerative cholitis), lupus, frost bite injury, acute leukocyte mediated lung injury (e.g. adult respiratory distress syndrome), traumatic shock, septic shock, nephritis, psoriasis, cholicytitis, cirrhosis, diverticulitis, fulminant hepatitis, gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, hepatorenal syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, jaundice, pancreatitis, ulcerative cholitis, human granulocyte ehlichiosis, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome T-cell activation, AIDS, infection with viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasites adapted to use particular core 2 derived glycans and cancer. Cancer metastasis is a particularly treatable by the present method. (see references 1-16, 67-77 and 83-87, incorporated herein by reference).

Cancers include leukemias, lymphomas, melanomas, adenomas, sarcomas, and carcinomas of solid tissues; particularly cancers include prostate, testicular, mammary, pancreatic, cervical, uterine, kidney, lung, rectum, breast, gastric, thyroid, neck, cervix, bowel, salivary gland, bile duct, pelvis, mediastinum, urethra, bronchogenic, bladder, esophagus, colon, small intestine and sarcomas (e.g. Kaposi's sarcoma) and adenomatous polyps. Particularly susceptible cancers for treatment are oral cavity carcinomas, pulmonary cancers such as pulmonary adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, bladder carcinoma, liver tumours, stomach tumours colon tumours, prostate cancer, testicular tumour, mammary cancer, lung tumours oral cavity carcinomas.

Particular application is found in cancer or its metastasis where Core 2 GlcNAc-T activity is raised.

Compound of the formula I are compounds wherein

R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆ alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl; preferably R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl more preferably R¹ is —H, —CH₃ or —CH₂OH; more preferably still R¹ is —CH₂OH; more preferably still R¹ is —CH₂OH and ring A is a glucose or galactose moiety; most preferably glucose.

R² is H, —OH or C₁₋₆ alkoxy; preferably R² is H or —OH;

Sac¹ and Sac² are independently selected saccharide moieties; and

Z is a steroid moiety attached to the oxygen shown by its 3 position ring carbon

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether, ester or tautomer thereof.

Saccharides Sac¹ and Sac² include, but are not limited to, monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides and polysaccharides. Preferably Sac¹ and Sac² are monosaccharides, but may be independently selected as di- or oligosaccharides.

Preferably Sac¹ and Sac² are independently selected from a tetrose a pentose and a hexose;

Preferably Sac¹ is selected from a pentose, a deoxy aldohexose and an aldohexose; more preferably Sac¹ is selected from arabinose, xylose, quinovose rhamnose or an aldohexose, more preferably Sac¹ is selected from the group consisting of arabinose, xylose, quinovose, rhamnose, glucose, mannose, gulose, altrose, allose idose and talose, more preferably still Sac¹ is rhamnose or glucose; most preferably it is glucose.

Preferably Sac² is selected from a pentose, a deoxy-aldohexose and an aldohexose; more preferably Sac² is selected from arabinose, xylose, glucose, mannose, galactose, and a deoxyaldohexose; more preferably Sac² is selected from the group consisting of arabinose, xylose, glucose, mannose, galactose, and a 6-deoxyaldohexose; more preferably Sac² is selected from glucose, galactose, arabinose, xylose and rhamnose; more preferably it is rhamnose.

In a preferred combination the group A is glucose or galactose, Sac¹ arabinose, xylose, quinovose, rhamnose, glucose, mannose, galactose, altrose, allose idose and talose, more preferably is glucose or rhamnose and Sac² is rhamnose

Particularly preferred are compounds of the formula III

Wherein the ring A is a glucose moiety, and which formula may be written:

most preferred are compounds which are 6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl (1→2)-O-[βs-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranosides of steroid moiety Z.

Wherein Glc is glucose and Rha is rhamnose and 2 and 3 refer to the position of attachment to the central Glc group.

The term “steroid moiety” denotes a moiety comprising a tetracyclic ring system shown as formula V:

Typically the saccharide ring, A, is attached to the steroid moiety Z at the 3 position.

Typically the steroid moiety ring system is modified, for example by the addition of one or more further rings and/or one or more double bonds and/or one or more substituents.

The steroid moiety may for example have the ring system of cholestane, pregnane, androstane, estrane, cholesterol, cholane, progestin, a mineralocorticoid, such as dehydroepiandrosterone or its 7-keto or 7-hydroxy analogue or a bile acid.

In one preferred embodiment the steroid moiety is that of a steroid that is in itself beneficial or neutral. By neutral is meant that the steroid ring is that which is considered suitable, whether as approved e.g. by the FDA or as GRAS, for use in a human or animal. By beneficial is meant that the steroid has effects of benefit to the human or animal if it were administered separately.

The steroid moiety Z may for example be that of a steroidal sapogenin derivable from a natural source (for example a plant source) or a steroidal moiety which is itself derivable from such plant steroidal sapogenins by chemical modification. The sapogenin may for example be that of a furostanol glycoside, a spirostanol glycoside (including those with nitrogen and oxygen containing rings) a damarane glycoside or other steroidal saponin.

The steroid moiety Z for example may be a steroid moiety of the formula VI

Groups or rings that may be incorporated into the steroid core V or VI are selected from those set out in formulae VI a to VI e wherein the dotted lines represent the relevant rings of the steroid core.

wherein:

R³, R¹⁰, R¹⁸ and R²⁰ are independently selected from H and —OH;

R⁴, R¹⁴, R¹⁹, R²³ R²⁵ and R²⁹ are independently selected from C₁₋₆ alkyl; preferably R⁴ R¹⁴, R¹⁹, R²³, R²⁵ and R²⁹ are —CH₃;

R⁵, R⁷ and R¹² are independently selected from H and C₁₋₆ alkyl; preferably R⁵, R⁷ and R¹² are independently selected from H and —CH₃;

R⁶ is H or —OH or the H normally also present is absent and R⁶ is ═O;

R⁸ is H, —OH or C₁₋₆ acyl or a group selected from VII a or VII b; preferably R⁸ is H, —OH or acetyl or a group selected from VII a or VII b;

R⁹ is H.

R¹¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl or —OH or R⁹ and R¹¹ taken together form a —CH₂—CH₂-group; preferably R¹¹ is H, —OH or —CH₃ or R⁹ and R¹¹ taken together form a —CH₂—CH₂— group;

R¹³ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl; preferably R¹³ is H, —CH₂OH, or —CH₃.

R¹⁵ is H or —OH.

R¹⁶ is H, —OH or C₁₋₆ alkoxy or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms; preferably R¹⁶ is H, —OH or —OCH₃ or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R¹⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of —OH, C₁₋₆ alkoxy and Sac³; preferably R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl, or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of —OH, C₁₋₆ alkoxy and Sac³; more preferably R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OCH₃ and Sac³; more preferably still R¹⁷ is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl but-2-eneyl, 2-methyl-prop-2-enyl, 3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³, 1-hydroxy-3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³ or 1-methoxy-3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³;

R²¹ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl or ═CH₂; preferably R²¹ is —CH₃, —CH₂OH or ═CH₂;

R²² is —OH;

R²⁴ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl or C₂₋₆ alkynyl; preferably R²⁴ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl; most preferably it is 2-methylprop-2-enyl R²⁶ is C₁ hydroxyalkyl;

R²⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by Sac⁴; preferably R²⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by S⁴; more preferably R²⁷ is —CH₃ or —CH₂-Sac⁴.

R²⁸ is C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₂₋₈ alkenyl or C₂₋₈ alkynyl; preferably R²⁸ is C₁₋₈ alkyl or C₂₋₈ alkenyl; more preferably 3-ethyl-4-methyl-pentanyl or 5-methyl-hex-4-enyl;

R³⁰ is C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by Sac⁵; preferably R³⁰ is C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by Sac⁵; more preferably R³⁰ is —CH₂-Sac⁵;

R³¹ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; preferably R³¹ is —CH₃; and

Sac³, Sac⁴ and Sac⁵ are independently selected saccharides; preferably Sac³, Sac⁴ and Sac⁵ are independently selected monosaccharides; more preferably they are independently selected a hexose, a pentose or a tetrose; more preferably still they are independently selected from glucose, galactose, quinovose, fucose, arabinose and xylose, most preferably they are glucose.

Represents a bond that is either double or single; and

X is either O or NH; preferably X is O.

Preferred steroid moieties Z that do not incorporate further groups VI(a) to VI(e) are those in which R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁷ is H; and R⁸ is VII(a); preferably R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁷ is H; R⁸ is VII(a); R¹¹ is C₁₋₆ alkyl and R⁶ is H or —OH; more preferably R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁷ is H; R⁸ is VII(a); R¹¹ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁶ is H or —OH, R¹² is C₁₋₆ alkyl and R¹³ is C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl.

Further preferred steroid moieties Z that do not incorporate further groups VI(a) to VI(e) are those in which R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁷ is H; and R⁸ is VII(b); preferably R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁷ is H; R⁸ is VII(b) and R¹², R¹³ and R¹¹ are C₁₋₆ alkyl; more preferably R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁷ is H; R⁸ is VII(b) and R¹², R¹³ and R¹¹ are C₁₋₆ alkyl and R⁶ is H.

Further preferred steroid moieties Z that do not incorporate further groups VI(a) to VI(e) are those in which R⁵ is H; R⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; and R⁸ is C₁₋₆ acyl; preferably R⁵ is H; R⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁸ is C₁₋₆ acyl; R¹² and R¹³ are H; R¹¹ is H or —OH.

Further preferred steroid moieties Z that do not incorporate further groups VI(a) to VI(e) are those in which R⁵ is H; R⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; and R⁸ is VII b; preferably R⁵ is H; R⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁸ is VIIb; R¹² and R¹³ are H; and R¹¹ is H or —H;

Preferred steroid moieties Z incorporating further groups VI(a) are those in which R⁵ is H, R⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁸ is H or —H; R¹² and R¹³ are H and R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of —H, —OCH₃ and Sac³; preferably R⁵ is H and R⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁸ is H or —OH; R¹² and R¹³ are H and R¹⁷ is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl but-2-eneyl, 2-methyl-prop-2-enyl, 3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³, 1-hydroxy-3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³ or 1-methoxy-3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³.

Further preferred steroid moieties Z incorporating further groups VI(a) are those in which R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, and R⁷ is H and R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl; preferably R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, R⁷ is H, R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl, R¹² and R¹³ are C₁₋₆ alkyl; more preferably R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, and R⁷ is H, R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl, R¹² and R¹³ are C₁₋₆ alkyl; more preferably R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, and R⁷ is H, R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl, R¹² and R¹³ are C₁₋₆ alkyl; and R¹⁵ is —H.

Preferred steroid moieties Z incorporating further groups VI(c) are those in which R⁵ is H, R⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, R⁸ is H or —H, R¹¹ is H or —H; R¹² and R¹³ are H.

Preferred steroid moieties of formula VI (a) and VI (b) are those having the ring structures below: still more preferably having the substitutions as set forth therein.

In each case the carbon atom labelled “25” can be in either the R or S configuration.

Preferred steroid moieties, Z, of the formula VI c in which X═O are for example those having the radicals of sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, 12β-hydroxysmilagenin, rhodeasapogenin, isorhodiasapogenin, samogenin, 12β-hydroxysamogenin, markogenin, yonogenin, convallagenin A, convallagenin B, tokorogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin, gitogenin, agigenin digitogenin, chlorogenin, paniculogenin, (25R)-spirostan-3β, 17α,21-triol, allogenin, (25R)-5α-spirostan-2α,3β,5α,6α-tetraol, (24S,25R)-5α-spirostan-2α,3β,5α,6β,24-pentaol, yamogenin diosgenin, yuccagenin, lilagenin, ruscogenin, (25S)-ruscogenin, neopraserigenin, pennogenin, isonuatigenin, cepagenin, 24a-hydroxypennogenin, ophiogenin, sibiricogenin, convallamarogenin, neoruscogenin, hecogenin, neohecogenin, manogenin, sisalagenin and hispigenin.

Preferred steroid moieties, Z, of the formula VI c in which X═NH are for example those that have the radicals of: solasodine, soladulcidine, tomatidine and 5-dehydrotomatidine.

Preferred steroid moieties Z of the formula VI c are those having the ring structures below; still more preferably having the substitutions as set forth therein.

Further preferred steroid moieties Z of the formula VI are those having the ring structures below; still more preferably having the substitutions as set forth therein.

Preferred steroid moieties VI i to VI xxxii can be derived from steroidal glycoside compounds herein or references of table 2 and further from references 19, 90 and 91).

Preferred compounds of the formula I combine any of the preferred Steroid moieties -Z- with preferred saccharide moieties.

Preferred compounds of the formula I are protogracillin proto neogracillin methylprotogracillin, methylprotoneogracillin, pseudoprotogracillin, dracenoside Q dioscoreside E, dracenoside P tuberoside C icogenin gracillin, collettiside IV 17-OH gracillin dracaenoside H dracaenoside L,dracaenoside I, lilioglycoside H, lilioglycoside I, dracaenoside D, neoalsoside A, neoalsoside C and hoduloside V, Lotoside II

Further preferred compounds that are as yet un-named are compounds 17, 21 and 25 of table 2.

The preferred compounds have the following chemical names. Protogracillin is [(3β,22α,25R)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl (1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], proto neogracillin is [(3β,22α,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl (1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->3)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside], methylprotogracillin is [(3β,22α,25R)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-methoxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl (1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside], methylprotoneogracillin is [(3β,22α,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-methoxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl (1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside], pseudoprotogracillin is [(3β,25R)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside], dracenoside Q is [(3β)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-14-hydroxyfurosta-5,20(22)-dien-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], dioscoreside E is [26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,26-dihydroxy-23(S)-methoxyl-25(R)-furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], dracenoside P is [(3β)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-14,22-dihydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-glucopyranoside, tuberoside C is [(2α,3β,5α,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxyfurost-20(22)-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], icogenin is [(3β,22α,25R)-26-hydroxy-22-methoxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], gracillin is [(3β,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, collettiside IV is [[(3β,25S)-spirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], 17-OH gracillin is [(3β,25R)-17-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], dracaenoside H is [(3β)-14-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, dracaenoside L is [(3β,24S,25R)-14,24-dihydroxyspirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], dracaenoside I is [(3β)-spirosta-5,25(27)-dien-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], lilioglycoside H is [(3β,25S)-27-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], lilioglycoside I is [(3β,25R)-27-[(3S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxobutoxy]spirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], dracaenoside D is [3-[(O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-14-hydroxy-pregna-5,16-dien-20-one, neoalsoside A is [(3β,12β,23S,24S)-20,24-epoxy-12,23,25-trihydroxydammaran-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], neoalsoside C is [(3β,4α,-12ρ,23 S,24S)-20,24-epoxy-12,23,25,28-tetrahydroxydammaran-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], hoduloside V is [(3β,16β,23R)-16,23:16,30-diepoxy-20-hydroxy-13-methyl dammar-24-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside and Lotoside II is [(3β,15α,16β,22R)-16,22-epoxy-15,16,20-trihydroxydammar-24-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyran-osyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside].

compound 17 is [(3β,24R,25R)-17,24-dihydroxyspirost-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside], compound 21 is [(3β)-21-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-20-hydroxydammar-24-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside] and compound 25 is [(3β,16β,22R)-16,22:16,30-diepoxy-20-hydroxydammar-24-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside]

Where any preferred substituent (such as C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl) is said to be composed of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (ie C₁₋₆) such substituents are more preferred with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (ie C₁₋₄), are more preferred still with 1 or 2 carbon atoms (ie methyl or ethyl) and are most preferred with only one carbon atom (ie are in the methyl form). Likewise where partial substituents such as the C₁₋₆ alkyl group or C₁₋₆ alkoxy group of C₁₋₆ alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl are said to be composed of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (ie C₁₋₆) such substituents are, independently one of the other, more preferred with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (ie C₁₋₄), are more preferred still with 1 or 2 carbon atoms (ie methyl or ethyl) and are most preferred with only one carbon atom (ie are in the methyl form).

Alkyl, alkenyl and alykynyl radicals may, where the number of carbons in the chain permits, be either straight-chain or branched chain. C₁₋₆ alkyl radicals may be, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl or tertiary-butyl, iso-pentyl, 2,2-dimethyl propyl, n-hexyl, iso-hexyl and 1,3-dimethylbutyl. C₁₋₆ alkenyl radicals may be, for example, alkyl, 1-methylprop-2-enyl, 2-methylprop-2-enyl, 2-methyl prop-1-enyl, but-2-enyl, but-3-enyl, 1-methyl-but-3-enyl, 1-methylbut-2-enyl, 3-methylbut-2-enyl; C₁₋₈ alkenyl radicals may be any of the C₁₋₆ alkyl radicals and may also be for example 5-methyl-hex-5-enyl, 4-methyl-hex-5-enyl, 3,4-dimethyl-hex-2-enyl C₁₋₆. Alkynyl may be, for example, propargyl, but-2-ynyl, but-3-ynyl, 1-methylbut-3-ynyl.

A C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl group may, where chemically possible, be either a C₁₋₆ monohydroxyalkyl or a C₁₋₆ dihydroxyalkyl group.

Where moieties may be, in turn, substituted by a saccharide moiety it is preferred that the bond is through an oxygen of the saccharide to form a group such as:

In the formula I the saccharide moieties comprise multiple chiral centres. Thus each of the carbon atoms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of each saccharide can, independently, be in the R or S form. Depending on the form of the anomeric carbon, each saccharide can, independently, be in either the alpha or beta anomeric form. For Ring A the beta form is preferred. Depending on the arrangement around these chiral centres and the identity of the substituents R¹ and R² the individual monosaccharides can take a number of different forms. Thus for example, when R¹ is H and R² is —OH, the saccharide moiety may, for example, be arranged as arabinopyranose, lyxopyranose, ribopyranose or xylopyranose; preferably the saccharide is xylopyranose or arabinopyranose; more preferably the saccharide is xylopyranose.

When R¹ is —CH₃ and R² is —OH the saccharide moiety A is a 6-deoxy hexopyranose, and may be arranged as 6-deoxyallose, 6-deoxyaltrose, 6-deoxygalactose (fucose), 6-deoxyglucose (quinovose), 6-deoxygulose, 6-deoxyidose, 6-deoxymannose (rhamnose) or 6-deoxytalose preferably it is fucose or quinovose; most preferably it is quinovose.

Where R¹ is —CH₂OH and R² is —OH the saccharide moiety A is a hexopyranose and may be, for example, allose, altrose, galactose, glucose gulose, idose, mannose or talose; preferably it is galactose or glucose, and more preferably glucose.

Saccharides include, but are not limited to, monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides and polysaccharides. Preferably saccharide moieties are monosaccharides, but may be independently selected as di- or oligosaccharides.

Monosaccharides include, but are not limited to, tetroses pentoses, hexoses and heptoses; tetroses pentoses and hexoses are preferred.

Tetroses may be for example aldotetroses, such as erithrose and threose and aldoketoses erithrulose.

Pentoses include, but are not limited to aldopentoses, such as arabinose, lyxose, ribose and xylose and ketopentoses such as ribulose and xylulose and deoxypentoses such as 2-deoxyribose and 3-deoxyribose. Preferred pentoses are xylose and arabinose. Pentoses may be in the furanose (eg arabinofuranose, lyxofuranose, ribofuranose and xylofuranose) or the pyranose (eg arabinopyranose, lyxopyranose, ribopyranose and xylopyranose) forms.

Hexoses include, but are not limited to aldohexoses, such as, allose, altrose, galactose, talose, gulose, idose, mannose and glucose (preferred are glucose, mannose, gulose, altrose, allose idose and talose) and ketokexoses such as fructose, psicose, sorbose and tagatose.

Hexoses may also be deoxy hexoses wherein an —OH group becomes an —H group at any position other than the bonded group. 6-deoxyhexoses are for example 6-deoxyallose, 6-deoxyaltrose, 6-deoxygalactose (fucose), 6-deoxyglucose (quinovose), 6-deoxygulose, 6-deoxyidose, 6-deoxymannose (rhamnose) or 6-deoxytalose. Deoxyhexoses may also be 2-deoxy, 3-deoxy, 4-deoxy and 5-deoxy hexoses. The oxygen may be lacking at more than one position. Examples of deoxyhexoses are 2-deoxy-glucose, 2-deoxygalactose, 4-deoxyfucose, 3-deoxygalactose, 2-deoxyglucose, 3-deoxyglucose, 4-deoxyglucose. Deoxyaldohexoses are preferred.

Hexoses also include hexosamines such as galactosamine, glucosamine and mannosamine, n-acteyl hexosamines such as N-acetyl-galactosamine, N-acetyl-mannosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. Preferred hexoses are aldohexoses and deoxy hexoses, particularly preferred hexoses are glucose, galactose, quinovose, fucose and rhamnose.

Hexoses may be in the furanose or pyranose form; preferably in the pyranose form.

Other monosaccharides include uronic acids, for example fructuronic acid, galacturonic acid, iduronic acid, glucuronic acid, guluronic acid, mannuronic acid and tagaturonic acid; sedoheptulose, sialic acid, neuraminic acid, muramic acid, N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylmuramic acid, O-acetylneuraminic acid, and N-glycolylneuraminic acid.

Of hexoses, aldohexoses and deoxyhexoses (particularly deoxyaldohexoses) are preferred; of pentoses, aldopentoses and deoxy-pentoses (particularly deoxyaldopentoses) are preferred.

Pharmaceutically acceptable esters of compounds of the formula 1 are for example, an ester with an aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic or sulphonic acid. Aliphatic carboxylic acids may be for example of up to 6 carbon atoms, for example a methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl succinyl or malyl. Aromatic carboxylic acids may for example benzoic acid, sulphonic acids may be methylsulphonic or p-toluenesulphonic acid, and include esters at any available esterifiable position.

Pharmaceutically acceptable esters further include known compounds in which the sugar —OH groups are esterified with an aliphatic carboxylic acid of up to 6 carbon atoms. Also included are known esters at the carbon 26-position with compounds such as hydroxymethylgluteryric acid or its methyl ester (for example compound 19 and structure VI xxiv).

Pharmaceutically acceptable ethers are, for example, with C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl compounds which may be formed at any of the available —OH groups, for example on the saccharide moieties, or steroid moieties by converting one or more of the —OH groups to alkoxy groups (e.g. 61, 84, 85 incorporated herein by reference). A suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable salt form of the compounds of the formula I is, for example, an acid addition salt with an inorganic or organic acid, for example hydrochloric, hydrobromic, trifluoroacetic or maleic acid; or an alkali metal, for example sodium, an alkaline earth metal, for example calcium, or ammonium, for example tetra(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, salt.

Compounds of the formula I can be extracted from a variety of plant species. Examples of sources of compounds of the invention and example purification protocols are given in the references of table 2 (which are incorporated herein by reference). Further sources of compounds of the invention and methods of isolation of such compounds are detailed in (19—particularly in tables 2.2, 2.9, 2.10 and 2.11 and appendix 3 which are incorporated herein by reference) and references therein.

Many compounds of the invention are hydroxylated steroids. It is known in the art that such compounds, when exposed to solvent such as alcohols during purification or preparation, may be converted to alkoxy derivatives or to other derivatives such as methylketals (which revert to the original compounds upon drying). Particularly compounds of the formula IV, in which the carbon at the at the 22-position of the furostanol structure, is substituted by —OH, may be converted to alkoxy derivatives when exposed to alcohols. Notably such compounds may become methoxy derivatives when purified from plant sources using methanol-containing solvents. Alternatively they may be converted to the corresponding alkoxy by reflux in an appropriate anhydrous alcohol at elevated temperature, for example methanol (46). Such alkoxylated compounds are also compounds of the invention.

Where the compounds of the invention are purified from natural sources it is preferred that they are used in isolated form. By isolated is meant that the compound is at least 1% pure, conveniently it is at least 10% pure, more conveniently at least 30% pure, preferably it is at least 50% pure more preferably it is at least 80% pure still more preferably it is at least 90% pure and most preferably it is at least 95% pure.

The purity of the compound is conveniently expressed as a ratio of UV absorption associated with the compound to UV absorption associated with other material in the sample, conveniently at 205 nm. The purity of the compound may be measured for example using a chromatography system such as for example TLC or HPLC such as are described in the references herein, particularly in those references relating to the compound in question, or in applicants co pending application PCT/GB2004/005398.

Alternatively, compounds of the invention can be synthesised via a number of routes known to the skilled worker. For example by glycosylation of appropriate aglycones.

A number of suitable aglycones are available commercially, alternatively an suitable aglycone may be prepared, either by isolation from a natural source (see 19 and references therein), by deglycosylation of a suitable glycosylated compound (for example those compounds disclosed in (19) or herein), or by chemical synthesis from a variety of starting material that are readily available.

The skilled worker will be aware of many sources of spirostanol and furostanol aglycones suitable for preparing compounds for use in the invention. For example spirostanol aglycones wherein X═O or X═NH may be, for example, sarsapogenin, smilagenin, 12β-hydroxysinilagenin, Rhodeasapogenin, Isorhodiasapogenin, Samogenin, 12β-hydroxysamogenin, Markogenin, Yonogenin, Convallagenin A, Convallagenin B, Tokorogenin, Tigogenin, Neotigogenin, Gitogenin, Agigenin Digitogenin, Chlorogenin, Paniculogenin, (25R)-Spirostan-3β, 17α21-triol, Allogenin, (25R)-5α-Spirostan-2α,3β,5α,6α-tetraol, (24S, 25R)-5α-Spirostan-2α,3β,5α,6β,24-pentaol, Yamogenin Diosgenin, Yuccagenin, Lilagenin, Ruscogenin, (25S)-Ruscogenin, Neopraserigenin, Pennogenin, Isonuatigenin, Cepagenin, 24a-hydroxypennogenin, Ophiogenin, Sibiricogenin, Convallamarogenin, Neoruscogenin, Hecogenin, Neohecogenin, Manogenin, Sisalagenin, Solasodine, Soladulcidine, Tomatidine and 5-dehydrotomatidine.

Deglycosylation of, for example steroidal glycosides, may be simply carried out by acid hydrolysis, for example in a 50:50 mix of 2N HCl: dioxane at 100° C. in a sealed tube for 4.5 hrs (46).

Methods for the synthesis of a number of steroidal aglycones have been known for may years. For example synthesis of diosgenin, yamogenin, kryptogenin and isonarthogenin have been reported by the group of Kessar et al (61, 62, 63).

General synthetic routes to a variety of tri saccharide substituted spirostanol saponins are known (21, 22, 24, 25). Methods of synthesis of spirostanol saponins having 2,3 branched oligosaccharide moieties are also known (20, 29, 32). Methods of synthesis of furostanol saponins, synthesis of derivatised saponins and interconversion of spirostanol and furostanol saponins have also been devised (23, 25-27, 30, 31, 33, 34). Furthermore, furostanol and spirostanol saponins can be inter converted using a β-glucosidase (36) and pseudosaponins maybe cyclised to form the spirostanol derivative(34).

Combinatorial approaches to saponin synthesis have also been reported (35, 23).

These references also provide information and further references on derivatisation of saccharide hydroxyalkyl groups and are incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein the term aglycone refers to steroidal glycosides wherein the saccharide moieties are not present. The compounds may have other substituents at the position occupied by the saccharide moiety. Particularly aglycones that are furostanol saponins when glycosylated may be in the ring closed state as the equivalent spirostanol compounds. Steroidal glycosides are compounds having a steroid or substituted steroid core, to which is attached one or more saccharide moieties. A steroidal sapogenin is the aglycone of a steroidal saponin. A steroidal saponin is a naturally occurring steroidal glycoside.

An anti cell adhesion agent is an agent that reduces the adhesion of cells to a substrate such as platelets or the lining of blood vessels or other tissues, an anti cell-cell interaction agent is an agent that reduces the interaction between cells. An anti cellular extravasation agent is an agent that reduces the passage of cells from the blood stream through the walls of blood vessels.

For the avoidance of doubt the term C₁₋₆ acyl is —CO—C₁₋₅-alkyl.

The term “treating”, as used herein, includes treating as prophylaxis or treatment of a current or remitting illness.

In a second aspect of the invention is provided the use of the compounds of the formula I in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of conditions involving detrimental activity of the enzyme core 2 GlcNAc-T, particularly raised activity. Examples of such conditions are described herein in the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect of the invention there are provided pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating conditions involving detrimental activity of the enzyme core 2 GlcNAc-T, particularly raised activity, comprising the compounds of the formula I. These compositions preferably further comprise pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients.

In a fourth aspect of the invention is provided the use of compounds of the invention as anti cell adhesion agents, anti extravasation agents and anti cell-cell interaction agents.

Medicaments of the invention comprising compounds of the formula I will typically be prepared in a sterile and pyrogen free form. They can be administered by oral or parenteral routes, including intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, transdermal, airway (aerosol), rectal, vaginal and topical (including buccal and sublingual) administration.

The medicament may be made up in liquid form in which case it will typically, in addition to the compound of the formula I, comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or it may be made up in solid form.

For oral administration, the compounds of the invention will generally be provided in the form of tablets or capsules, as a powder or granules, or as an aqueous solution or suspension.

Tablets for oral use may include the active ingredients mixed with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as inert diluents, disintegrating agents, binding agents, lubricating agents, sweetening agents, flavouring agents, colouring agents and preservatives. Examples of suitable inert diluents include sodium and calcium carbonate, sodium and calcium phosphate, and lactose, while corn starch and alginic acid are examples of suitable disintegrating agents. Binding agents include, for example starch and gelatine, while the lubricating agent, if present, may for example, be magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. If desired, the tablets may be coated with an enteric coating material, such as glyceryl mono stearate or glyceryl distearate, to delay absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Capsules for oral use include hard gelatine capsules in which the active ingredient is mixed with a solid diluent, and soft gelatine capsules wherein the active ingredients is mixed with water or an oil such as peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil

Formulations for rectal administration may for example be presented as a suppository with a suitable base comprising, for example, cocoa butter or a salicylate.

Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may for example be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

In preparations for intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and intravenous use, the compounds of the invention will typically be provided in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent to provide sterile solutions, emulsions, liposome formulations or suspensions. Typically the preparation will be buffered to an appropriate pH and isotonicity. For example suitable diluents include Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride. Aqueous suspensions according to the invention may include suspending agents such as cellulose derivatives, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone and gum tragacanth, and a wetting agent such as lecithin. Suitable preservatives include ethyl and n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate.

The isolated Core 2 GlcNAc-T inhibitors of the invention may also be incorporated into a food or beverage product.

In general a suitable dose of Core 2 GlcNAc-T inhibitor will be in the range of 100 ng to 10 mg per kilogram body weight of the recipient per day, preferably in the range of 1 μg to 5.0 mg/kg/d. Typically the desired dose is presented once daily or several times a day in sub doses. These sub-doses may be administered in unit dosage forms, for example, containing 1 μg to 1500 mg, preferably 40 kg to 1000 mg, and most preferably 50 μg to 700 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form.

The present invention will now be described further by reference to the following non-limiting Examples, Schemes and Figures. Further embodiments falling within the scope of the claim will occur to those skilled in the art in the light of these

FIGURES

FIG. 1: is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of purifying protogracillin and gracillin for Dioscorea radix tissue. Purification of dioscin is included for reference. Also illustrated are the purification of protodioscin and pseudoprotodioscin, which may also be purified from Dioscorea radix.

FIG. 2: illustrates the structures of protogracillin and gracillin isolated from D. radix.

EXAMPLES

Table 1. Example Compounds of the Invention TABLE 1a

25 Bond Bond Comp. Q A¹ A² A³ A⁴ A⁵ A⁶ A⁷ R/S a b 1 3-Glc Me H H Glc OH H H R Double Single 2 3-Glc Me H H Glc OH H H S Double Single 3 3-Glc Me H H Glc OMe H H R Double Single 4 3-Glc Me H H Glc OMe H H S Double Single 5 3-Glc Me H H Glc Absent H H R Double Double 6 3-Glc Me H H Glc Absent OH H R/S Double Double 7 3-Glc Me OMe H Glc Absent OH H R Double Double 8 3-Glc Me H H Glc OH OH H R/S Double Single 9 3-Glc Me H H Glc H H OH S Single Double 10 3-Glc Me H H OH OMe H H R Double Single 27 4-Glc Me H H Glc OH H H S Double Single 28 4-Glc Me H H Glc OH H H S Single Single

TABLE 1b

Comp. A R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ R₅ R₆ 25R/S Bond a 11 3-Glc Me H H H H H R Double 12 3-Glc Me H H H H H S Double 13 3-Glc Me H OH H H H R Double 14 3-Glc Me H H OH H H R/S Double 15 3-Glc Me OH H OH H H S Double 16 3-Glc ═CH₂ H H H H H — Double 17 3-Glc Me OH OH H H H R Double 18 3-Glc —CH₂OH H H H H H R Double 19 3-Glc * H H H H H R Double 29 4-Glc Me H H H H H S Single

Compounds 27, 28 and 29 illustrate the structures of reference compounds in table 2 TABLE 1c Compound Structure 20

21

22

23

24

25

26

TABLE 2 Key to compound names and example references. Example Compound references Compound name 1 46 Protogracillin 2 46, 57 protoneogracillin 3 44, 46, 58, 60 Methylprotogracillin 4 46 Methylprotoneogracillin 5 88 Pseudoprotogracillin 6 43 Dracenoside Q 7 43 Dioscoreside E 8 43 Dracenoside P 9 40 Tuberoside C 10 39 Icogenin 11 28, 41, 45, 48, Gracillin 57 12 47, 66 Collettiside IV ((25S) Gracillin) 13 48, 65 17-OH Gracillin 14 43 Dracaenoside H 15 43 Dracaenoside L 16 43 Dracaenoside I 17 48, 65 Not named 18 49 Lilioglycoside H 19 49 Lilioglycoside I 20 43 Dracaenoside D 21 50 Not named 22 51 Neoalsoside A 23 51 Neoalsoside C 24 52 Hoduloside V 25 53 Not named 26 54 Lotoside II 27 18 Trigoneoside IVa ** 28 64 Shatavarin I ** 29 64 Shatavarin IV ** ** = reference compounds

Example 1 Preparation of Compounds of the Invention: Preparation and Purification of Dioscorea radix Extracts

Extraction: Dried, powdered Dioscorea radix (6.2 Kg) was extracted three times with MeOH—H₂O (8:2, 36 L, 26 L and 24 L, respectively). The first extract (CDXA-13-148-1) was concentrated to 5 L by evaporation under vacuum. The second and third extracts (CDXA-13-148-2 and 13-148-3) were combined and concentrated to 3.3 L.

Fractionation: The concentrated extracts were loaded on to a Dianion HP20 column (2.7 Kg) in 2.0 L batches and eluted with H₂O and H₂O-MeOH (8:2, 6:4 and 4:6 and MeOH 1 L each). The column eluent was monitored by TLC and 8 fractions were collected (CDXA-13-149-1 to 8).

Column Chromatography 1: CDXA-13-149-4 and 13-149-5 were combined (45.4 g), absorbed on to silica gel (101 g), loaded on to a silica gel column (255 g) and eluted with EtOAc-MeOH—H₂O (80:20:3, 1.7 L; 75:25:3, 2.0 L; 70:30:4, 1.04 L; 65:35:4, 2.08 L; and 60:40:5, 1.05 L). The eluent was monitored by TLC and 26 fractions were collected (CDXA-13-166-F1 to F26).

Column Chromatography 2: CDXA-13-166-F14 to F22 were combined (25.2 g), absorbed on to silica gel (48.2 g), loaded on to a silica gel column (305 g), and eluted with EtOAc-MeOH—H₂O (80:20:3, 600 ml; 75:25:3, 4120 ml; 70:30:4, 2080 ml; 65:35:4, 1050 ml; and 60:40:5, 1050 ml). The eluent was monitored by TLC and 28 fractions were collected (CDXA-13-167-F1˜F28).

Purification of Protogracillin: Fractions 13-167-F5 to F16 were combined and concentrated under vacuum, the white powder separated was filtered, dried (CDXA-13-167-K5, 2.27 g) and heated under refluxed in ACN—H₂O (28:72; 100 ml) at 90° C. oil bath overnight. The product was further purified by HPLC (Novaprep 5000 semi-preparative HPLC column (C18, 5.0×20.0 cm) eluted with ACN—H₂O (25:75) for 41.2 minutes then eluted with ACN—H₂O (50:50) for another 20 minutes at a flow rate of 100 ml/minute. Monitored at UV 205 nm and the major peak was collected) to give two batches of protogracillin (CDXA-13-168-1, 374 mg; CDXA-13-169-1, 552 mg).

Purification of dioscin and gracillin: Fraction CDXA-13-149-F6 (22.4 g) was loaded on to a C18 column (296 g, 5×20 cm), eluted with MeOH—H₂O (3:7, 4:6, 45:55, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 7:3, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15 and 90:10, 1000 ml each), and 8 fractions were collected (CDXA-13-159-F1 to F8). Fraction CDXA-13-159-F7 (4.5 g) was separated on silica gel (257 g silica gel) eluting with EtOAc-MeOH—H₂O (85:15:2, 1020 ml; 80:20:3, 3090 ml; 75:25:3, 1030 ml) giving 14 fractions (CDXA-13-160-F1 to F14). The fractions CDXA-13-160-F2 and F3 gave dioscin (CDXA-13-160-1, 404 mg) while fraction CDXA-13-160-F4 gave gracillin (CDXA-13-160-2, 195 mg) both as white powders.

Protogracillin was 96.7% pure as a white powder

Gracillin was 90.8% pure as a white powder TABLE 3 ¹³C NMR data of the compounds from Dioscorea (in pyridine-d5) Gracillin Dioscin Protogracillin 13-160-2 13-160-1 13-168-1  1 37.8 37.8 37.8  2 30.4 30.5 30.4  3 78.3 78.4 78.9  4 39.0 39.3 39.0  5 141.1 141.1 141.1  6 122.1 122.2 122.3  7 32.7 32.6 32.7  8 32.1 32.0 32.0  9 50.6 50.6 50.6 10 37.5 37.5 37.5 11 21.4 21.4 21.4 12 40.2 40.2 40. 13 40.8 40.8 41.1 14 57.0 56.9 56.9 15 32.6 32.5 32.8 16 81.4 81.4 81.5 17 63.2 63.2 64.2 18 16.7 16.7 16.8 19 19.7 19.7 19.7 20 42.3 42.3 41.0 21 15.4 15.4 16.8 22 109.6 109.6 111.0 23 32.0 32.1 37.6 24 29.6 29.6 28.7 25 30.9 30.9 34.6 26 67.2 67.2 75.6 27 17.7 17.7 17.8 3-O- Glc1 100.3 100.6 100.3  2 78.0 78.4 78.0  3 89.9 78.1 89.9  4 69.9 78.8 69.9  5 77.3 77.3 77.3  6 62.7 61.6 62.7 Rha1′ 102.6 102.4 102.6   2′ 72.8 72.9 72.8   3′ 73.1 73.2 73.1   4′ 74.4 74.5 74.5   5′ 69.9 69.9 69.9   6′ 18.9 19.1 Glc1/rha1″ 104.9 103.2 104.9  2″ 75.3 72.9 75.3  3″ 79.0 73.1 78.9  4″ 71.8 74.2 71.8  5″ 78.9 70.7 78.9  6″ 62.7 19.0 62.8 26-O- Glc1″′ 105.3   2″′ 75.6   3″′ 79.1   4″′ 72.0   5″′ 79.0   6″′ 63.1 Mass Spec and ¹H NMR Data of the compounds isolated from Dioscorea:

Gracillin: (+) ESI-MS m/z 907.56 [M+Na⁺]; ¹H NMR (400 Hz, C₅D₅N) δ 0.69 (3H, d, J=5.6 Hz, 27-H₃), 0.83 (3H, s, 18-H₃), 1.07 (3H, s, 19-H₃), 1.14 (3H, d, J=7.2 Hz, 21-H₃), 1.79 (3H, d, J=6.4 Hz, rha 6′-H), 4.96 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz, glc 1-H), 5.12 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz, glc 1″-H), 5.33 (1H, d, J=5.2 Hz, 6-H), 6.41 (1H, s, rha 1′-H).

Protogracillin: (+) ESI-MS m/z 1087.56 [M+Na⁺]; ¹H NMR (400 Hz, C₅D₅N) δ 0.91 (3H, s, 18-H₃), 1.00 (3H, d, J=6.4 Hz, 27-H₃), 1.08 (3H, s, 19-H₃), 1.35 (3H, d, J=6.8 Hz, 21-H₃), 1.78 (3H, s, J=6.0 Hz, Rha-6′-H₃), 4.84 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz, Glc-1′″-H), 4.97 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz, Glc-1′-H), 5.13 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz, glc 1″-H), 5.33 (1H, d, J=4.0 Hz, 6-H), 6.42 (1H, s, Rha-1′-H).

Dioscin: (+) ESI-MS m/z 891.55 [M+Na⁺]; ¹H NMR (400 Hz, C₅D₅N) δ 0.70 (3H, d, J=4.8 Hz, 27-H₃), 0.84 (3H, s, 18-H₃), 1.06 (3H, s, 19-H₃), 1.15 (3H, d, J=6.8 Hz, 21-H₃), 1.66 (3H, d, J=4.8 Hz, rha 6″-H₃), 1.79 (3H, d, J=6.4 Hz, rha 6′-H₃), 4.97 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz, glc 1-H), 5.31 (1H, d, J=4.0 Hz, 6-H), 5.91 (1H, s, rha 1″-H), 6.45 (1H, s, rha 1′-H).

Example 2

Biological Activity of Compounds.

2a. Cell Culture

The human leukocytic cell-line (U937) was cultured in RPMI supplemented with 10% foetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 IU/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin.

2b. Assay of Core 2 GlcNAc-T Activity

Three approaches may be used:

(i). Glucose induction of Core 2 GlcNAc-T leukocytes (U937 cells) are exposed to normal glucose (5.8 mM) or high glucose (15 mM) for 24 hours at 37° C. After incubation, the cells maybe lysed and frozen at −20° C. until used for the measurement of core 2 GlcNAc-T. or used immediately.

(ii). TNF-α induction of core 2 GlcNAc-T. Human leukocytes(U937 cells) are exposed to human recombinant TNF-alpha (8 pg/ml) in the presence and absence of test compounds After 24 h incubation, the activity of core 2 GlcNAc-T was measured, and expressed as pmoles/h/mg protein

(iii). Cell free assay of core 2 GlcNAc-T in cell free assays of core 2 GlcNAc-T Heart lysates from either from TNF-alpha over expressing transgenic mice (female, B6.5JL-Tg (TNF) supplied by Taconic-M+B, Bomholtveg 10, 8680 Ry, Denmark) or from BB rats (89) was exposed to various concentrations of test compound for 1 h at 37° C. Activity of core 2 GlcNAc-T was measured, and expressed as pmoles/h/mg protein.

2c. Measurement of Core 2 GlcNAc-T Activity

To measure core 2 GlcNAc-T activity, leukocytes were washed in PES, frozen and lysed in 0.9% Triton X-100 at 0° C. The activity of core 2 GlcNAc-T was measured as described previously (16). Cell free assays are preformed by substituting heart lysates for cell lysates.

Assays were performed in 50 mM 2(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES, Sigma, Dorset, UK), pH 7.0, 1 mM UDP-6 [′H]-N-acetylglucosamine (16,000 dpm/nmol, NEN Life Science Products, Hounslow, UK), 0.1 M GlcNAc (Sigma, Dorset, OK), 1 mM Galβ1-3GalNAcα-p-nitrophenol (Sigma, Dorset, UK) as substrate, and 16 μl of lysate (100-200 μg protein) for a final volume of 32 μl. After incubating the mixture for 1 hour at 37° C., the reaction was terminated with 1 ml of ice-cold distilled water and processed on a C18 Sep-Pak column (Waters-Millipore, Watford, UK). After washing the column with 20 ml of distilled water, the product was eluted with 5 ml of methanol. The radioactivity of the samples was counted in a liquid scintillation β-counter (LKB-Wallac, London, UK). Endogenous activity of core 2 GlcNAc-T was measured in the absence of the added acceptor. The specific activity was expressed as pmoles/h/mg of cell protein. In each case, the protein concentration was determined with BioRad protein assay (BioRad, Hertfordshire, UK). TABLE 4 Approximate Ic₅₀ values (nM) for example compounds Cell free Cell based Compound Number assay* assay Protogracillin 1 3 0.25 Gracillin 18 4.5 2.5 Trigoneoside IVa*** 43 0.9 0.75 Shatavarin I*** 44 1 0.75 Shatavarin IV*** 45 ** † *Assays carried out on heart lysates of TNF-α mice as described above. ** 89% inhibition of core 2 GlcNAc-T at 22 nM ***reference compounds † = no activity detected at 22.5 nM.

TABLE 5 Approximate purities of compounds used Approximate Compound Number purity by HPLC Protogracillin 1 96.7 Gracillin 18 98   Trigoneoside IVa 43 89% Shatavarin I 44 >95% 

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1. A method of treating a subject in need of therapy for a condition involving detrimental activity of the enzyme core 2 GlcNAc-T comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of core 2 GlcNAc-T of formula I to a patient in need thereof

wherein: R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl; R² is H, —OH or C₁₋₆ alkoxy; Sac¹ and Sac² are independently selected saccharide moieties; and Z is a steroid moiety; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether or ester thereof.
 2. A method according to claims 1 in which R¹ is —H, —CH₃ or —CH₂OH.
 3. A method according to claim 1 in which R¹ is —CH₂OH.
 4. A method according to claim 1 in which R¹ is —CH₂OH and the ring is a glucose moiety.
 5. A method according to claim 1 in which R² is —OH.
 6. A method according to claim 1 in which Sac¹ and Sac² are monosaccharides.
 7. A method according to claim 1 in which Sac¹ is a pentose or an aldohexose
 8. A method according to claim 1 in which Sac¹ is an aldohexose
 9. A method according to claim 1 in which Sac¹ is glucose.
 10. A method according to claim 1 in which Sac² is selected from the group consisting of a tetrose a pentose and a hexose moiety.
 11. A method according to claims 1 in which Sac² is rhamnose.
 12. A method according to claim 1 in which the compound of the formula I is


13. A method according to claims 1 in which the steroid moiety Z is a compound of the formula:

wherein: R³, R¹⁰ and R¹⁸ are independently selected from H and —OH; R⁴ and R²⁵ are independently selected from C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁵, R⁷ and R¹² are independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl; R⁶ is H or —OH or the H normally also present is absent and R⁶ is ═O; R⁸ is H, —OH or C₁₋₆ acyl or a group selected from VII a or VII b.

R⁹ is H. R¹¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl or —OH or R⁹ and R¹¹ taken together form a —CH₂—CH₂-group; R¹³ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl; preferably R¹³ is H, —CH₂OH, or —CH₃. R²⁶ is C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl; R²⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by S⁴. R²⁸ is C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₂₋₈ alkenyl or C₂₋₈ alkynyl; Sac⁴ is a saccharide; and

Represents either a single bond or a double bond.
 14. A method according to claim 13 in which the steroid moiety Z incorporates a further group selected from the group consisting of:

Wherein: R²⁰ is H or —OH; R¹⁴, R¹⁴, R²³ and R²⁹ are independently selected from C₁₋₆ alkyl; R¹⁵ is H or —OH; R¹⁶ is H, —OH or C₁₋₆ alkoxy or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms; R¹⁷ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of —OH, C₁₋₆ alkoxy and Sac³; R²¹ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl or ═CH₂; R²² is —OH; R²⁴ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl or C₂₋₆ alkynyl; R³⁰ is C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl or C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by Sac⁵; R³¹ is C₁₋₆ alkyl; Sac³ and Sac⁵ are independently selected saccharide moieties; and X is either O or NH.
 15. A method according to claims 14 in which R¹⁷ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OCH₃ and Sac.
 16. A method according to claim 14 in which R¹⁷ is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl but-2-eneyl, 2-methyl-prop-2-enyl, 3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³, 1-hydroxy-3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³ or 1-methoxy-3-methylbutanyl substituted at the 4-position by Sac³;
 17. A method according to claim 14 in which R²¹ is —CH₃, —CH₂OH or ═CH₂.
 18. A method according to claim 14 in which R²⁴ is C₂₋₆ alkenyl.
 19. A method according to claims 14 in which R²⁷ is —CH₃ or —CH₂-Sac⁴.
 20. A method according to claim 14 in which S⁴ is glucose.
 21. A method according to claim 14 in which R²⁸ is C₁₋₈ alkyl or C₂₋₈ alkenyl.
 22. A method according to claim 14 in which R²⁸ is 3-ethyl-4-methyl-pentanyl or 5-methyl-hex-4-enyl;.
 23. A method according to claim 14 in which R³⁰ is —CH₂-Sac⁵.
 24. A method according to claim 14 in which Sac⁵ is glucose.
 25. A method according to claim 14 in which X is O.
 26. A method according to claim 1 in which the compound is selected from the group consisting of: Protogracillin protoneogracillin methylprotogracillin methylprotoneogracillin, pseudoprotogracillin, dracenoside Q, dioscoreside E dracenoside P tuberoside C, icogenin, gracillin, collettiside IV, 17-OH gracillin, dracaenoside H dracaenoside L, dracaenoside I, lilioglycoside H, lilioglycoside I, dracaenoside D, neoalsoside A, neoalsoside C, hoduloside V, Lotoside II, compound 17, compound 21 and compound
 25. 27. A method according to claim 1 in which the condition to be treated is selected form the group consisting of vascular diseases, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
 28. A method according to claim 1 in which the condition to be treated is selected from the group consisting of: multiple sclerosis, myopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, transplant rejection, ischemia reperfusion injury, restenosis, ileitis, Crohn's disease, thrombosis, cholitis, lupus, frost bite injury, acute leukocyte mediated lung injury, traumatic shock, septic shock, nephritis, psoriasis, cholicytitis, cirrhosis, diverticulitis, fulminant hepatitis, gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, hepatorenal syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, jaundice, pancreatitis, ulcerative cholitis, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome T-cell activation, AIDS, infection with viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasites adapted to use core 2 derived glycans, cancer and cancer metastasis. 